THE HON. A STUART, PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7272, 10 March 1885, Page 5

THE HON. A STUART, PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

Tns Hon. Alexander Stuart, Premier of New South Wales, was a passenger by the b.s. Manapouri from the South yesterday, and, with Mrs. Stuart, is putting up at the Prince Arthur Hotel. It will be remembered that Mr. Stuart had a sudden attack of illness while engaged in the active performance of his duties as Premier. His illness, it was believed, was caused by overwork in the public service. On his partial recovery Mr. Stuart set out on a tour of travel for the restoration of his heaith, and probably one of the inducements which led him to Auckland was the desire to see his brother, the Bishop of Waiapu (the Right Rev. Dr. Stuart), who is at present in town. Mr. Stuart has visited the leading provinces, and is favourably impressed with the colony so far aa he has seen it. Mr. tnd Mrs. Stuart leave for the Lakes this week.

In chatting with a Hkkald representative, who interviewed him la*t night, in respect to Soudan matters and the New South Wales contingent, Mr. Stuart stated that he was in telegraphic communication with hie colleagues on tUe questions arising out of that matter. The New Soctk Wales Parliament would meet on the 17th instant in special session, when the only Government measure to be brought forward would be a Bill of Indemnity in relation to the raising and despatch of the Soudan contingent. He had no doubt from the enthuniasm with which the people of New South Wales had viewed and sustained, the movement, that there would be no difficulty about the passing of the Bill. Of coarse there would be some opposition. There were some people who would oppose any policy, even if planned by an angel from heaven, but the Government believed the heart of the country was with them in what they had done. It would be perfectly competent for other business to be transacted at the approaching session, but the measure he had alluded to was the only one the Government proposed to submit to the House. He would not be in Sydney in time to attend the session, as it was not his intention to return to New South Wales till April. We take the following biographical particulars from the •' Australian Dictionary of Men of the Time " in reference to thii leading Australian statesman : — "He was born in Edinburgh in 1825, educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and afterwards at the Edinburgh University. In early life he entered into mercantile business in Leith, Glaigow, and London, He then went to India. In 1851 he came to Sydney, and entered the Bank of New Sonth Wales as Aesiatant Secretary. In 1855 he resigned his post in the bank, in order to join in business the late Captain Towus, of the firm of Towns and Co. In 1574 he was elected for East Sydney, and in 1876 he accepted offica as Colonial Treasurer of New Sonth Wales, and retired with his party in the following year. In 1878 Mr. Stuart paid a visit to England, whence he returned in the beginning of 1879, and subsequently reentered political life." Aβ already stated above, he is at present Premier of New South Wales. Mr. Stuart is a fair debater, and one of the ablest financiers in Australia. It is to be hoped that his present tour will again restore him to health and strength.